Discuss on the Bauhaus

NARRATOR:Listen to a conversation between a student and an art history professor.

FEMALE STUDENT:Hi, I'm Melissa.I was just a few doors down getting some help in the computer lab. My electronic files won't open.The technician says it's probably a computer virus. She's working on it now.

MALE PROFESSOR:Yes.... From what I've heard, lots of campus computers have been affected.What a first week, huh?

FEMALE STUDENT:I know! Anyhow, I noticed your name on the door as I was walking down the hallway.Thought I'd stop in and, um, find out if you happened to have any additional copies of the class syllabus.The one I received in class the other day is missing a page....

MALE PROFESSOR:Oh, sorry about that.... I probably have a few extra printouts on hand.

FEMALE STUDENT:Great! Oh, and I noticed on the syllabus we'll be learning about, and eventually writing a paper on, the Bauhaus style of art?Sounds interesting-I'm looking forward to it!

MALE PROFESSOR:Right. But,...technically, it-it doesn't say "Bauhaus style of art"; it only says, "the Bauhaus."

FEMALE STUDENT:Oh...? What's the difference?

MALE PROFESSOR:Well, the Bauhaus is not really an artistic style, uh,...like Cubism.It was the name of an art and design school in Germany in the early twentieth century.The Bauhaus was started as an experiment in education... and one groundbreaking technique used in its teaching was that students actively participated in workshops instead of just sitting in classes.

FEMALE STUDENT:Interesting.... I don't have much background in art or anything.I am an economics major and am taking this class as an elective.Decided I wanted to broaden my awareness-try something new.

MALE PROFESSOR:Excellent-I'm really glad to hear that!

FEMALE STUDENT:So,...was the focus of the Bauhaus architecture...?[upspeak] I mean, I've studied German, and Bauhaus translates into "house for building"....

MALE PROFESSOR:Well, the founding director was an architect; however, he aimed to combine an incredibly broad variety of fine arts and crafts under one artistic roof.As a matter of fact, when the Bauhaus first opened, it was without an architectural department for several years.But later it became very influential in architecture.

FEMALE STUDENT:So I wasn't all wrong.

MALE PROFESSOR:You'll see on the syllabus that you're required to visit the Rutherford Museum exhibit.The exhibit will help you see that there is no single Bauhaus style!I think it's refreshing that this particular exhibit departs from the standard ways in which art from the Bauhaus is often presented.

FEMALE STUDENT:Which are...?

MALE PROFESSOR:Well, for example, by specific artist.I think it's a mistake to focus on a single Bauhaus artist and that person's individual specialty.I mean, the different artists from the school created different things-fabric, sculpture, furniture, graphic design, paintings,...even theatrical performances!The exhibit in the Rutherford Museum unites all these specialties through connecting themes... such as "motion" or..."the body."

FEMALE STUDENT:Sounds fascinating!Say, I've heard something about discount nights at that museum...?

MALE PROFESSOR:Weekends're full price. It's typically best to go Thursday nights. That's student discount night-50 percent off.However, next Wednesday is open to the public for free-it's a special promotion.So, I know what I'd do...!